Sunday, April 17, 2011

Photography on TV

In the past week, I've accidentally come across two tv documentaries about photographers.

The first, "The President's Photographer", was a very interesting chronicle of a day in the life of the US presidential photographer ... running around after him, running ahead of him, privy to every moment of Barack Obama's work day. I've heard many people say how they envy the photog that job ... to be there recording history! I suppose that's one way to look at it. Frankly, I couldn't think of anything worse ... photographing the same subject hundreds of times a day, hundreds of days a year ... to say nothing of the pressure! Sure, being in the prez's inner circle may sound glamorous ... but having to be formally attired, spit and polished, every day ... nah, not for me!

Now the second show, "Chasing Wild Horses", REALLY appeals to me! This type of thing would be right up my alley! Romania-born Canadian, Roberto Dutesco, is a renowned New York City fashion photographer. Then he felt the need for his work to be remembered for more than that. So he went to Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, to document the life of the herd of wild horses there. Sable isn't a tourist destination - no visitors are allowed onto the island unless great exception is made. The horses are offspring of equine shipwreck survivors - at least 350 ships have met an untimely end on the sandbars of the island: sailors say "If you can see Sable Island, it's too late.", - and animals brought over from the mainland by early settlers. It is incredible that horses can survive in this bleak environment. To be sure, they're a tough gang with rough coats, feet that'd give a farrier a heart attack, and long, unkempt manes and tails. But they're a glorious sight to behold! See the results of Roberto's beautifully sensitive work here. Or, if you're lucky enough, visit his gallery dedicated to The Wild Horses of Sable Island in New York.